Pro-Palestinian students, staff and other supporters occupied the entrance to Queen’s University’s main building on Tuesday in the first protest of this type at the Belfast institution.
Watch: Pro-Palestine supporters occupy Queens University in #Belfast @irish_news #gaza #Rafah #Palestine pic.twitter.com/ni2NUEKsmK
— Mal McCann (@MalMccann) May 7, 2024
The protestors, who moved into the Lanyon Building mid-afternoon, heard speeches, sang songs and shouted slogans, including ones condemning the position of local political parties on the war in Gaza. The DUP and UUP were particular targets.
Pro-Palestinian protest camps have been established in universities in Europe, the United States and other parts of the world. Police in Berlin and Amsterdam moved in to break up camps this week.
The campus protests are happening amid the continuing Israeli bombardment of Rafah in southern Gaza but also the arrival of Israeli negotiators in Cairo for talks on what is described as a “truce” and the release of hostages.
Organisers of the protest at Queen’s had not yet decided by early evening how long they will remain. That decision will be taken by consensus, said Emma McKeever, of the QUB Palestinian Assembly.
Queen’s warned on Tuesday: “While we will recognise and defend the right to protest and have voices heard, in a respectful and legal way, it is essential that those who want to go about their normal business on campus can freely and safely do so without interference.”
Members of the activist group met with Queen’s management to lay out what they believe the university can do both at the wider level condemning the war and on a number of issues specific to the campus. A single security guard was on duty in front of the building in the early stages of the protest.
One of the main demands from the protestors is the removal of former First Lady Hillary Clinton as chancellor of the university, said Ms McKeever, a politics PHD student.
Ms Clinton is regarded as a key supporter of the Israeli state during a conflict that has killed approximately 33,000 Palestinians. It is demanded she be replaced by a democratically elected chancellor.
The war began following the October 7 Hamas attack on Israeli territory that killed approximately 1400.
Protestors are calling for the university to make a statement condemning the continuing killing of Palestinians by Israeli forces, demand an immediate ceasefire, offer sanctuary to Palestinian academics and students, sever links with Israeli institutions and divest holdings in arms companies.
While management did meet with the pro-Palestinians two weeks ago, Ms McKeever said there is disappointment as she added there has been little follow up.
“Queen’s University Belfast is committed to freedom of expression, the right to hold a range of views, and the promotion and protection of the right to protest,” the university said in a statement.
“This applies to our students, academics and professional staff, and indeed the wider public. During recent months, we have met individuals and representatives of many organisations.
“We have had constructive discussions, listened to concerns and ideas, and exchanged views in an atmosphere of mutual respect, with a genuine desire to find solutions and common ground on a range of issues, and we will continue to do so.”
